Search Results for: Robert Firestone

The Many Benefits Of Self-Compassion

…d punishes us for our mistakes. This is the side of us that my father, Dr. Robert Firestone has called the “anti-self.” In my and my father’s work, we often talk about how and why this anti-self emerges and how to challenge the negative line of thinking it perpetuates, which we call the “critical inner voice.” One exercise we ask people to try is writing down their self-critical thoughts in the second person (i.e. “You are such a loser. You can’t…

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low self-esteem

Low Self-Esteem: What Does it Mean to Lack Self-Esteem?

…n ways that we regret and may deplore.” This harsh inner critic, which Dr. Robert Firestone refers to as the Critical Inner Voice, contributes to a negative perceived self. Having a negative perception of oneself can have serious consequences. For example, if someone believes that other people don’t like them, they are more likely to avoid interactions with others and are quicker to react defensively, cynically, or even lash out. Rosenberg and Owe…

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How Embracing Vulnerability Strengthens Our Relationships

…unwilling to be vulnerable hurts our connections to others. My father, Dr. Robert Firestone, often refers to the inner dialogue that personifies these psychological defenses as our “critical inner voice.” The critical inner voice is a destructive thought process that acts like an internal parent and tends to assess, judge, undermine, and insult us as we move through our lives. “Don’t show her who you really are. She’d want nothing to do with you,”…

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A Happy Couple Makes for Happy Kids

…ast annual American Psychological Association meeting in which researchers Robert Epstein and Shannon Fox examined the top 10 most effective “parenting competencies” associated with children’s health, success in school, happiness, and their relationship with their parent. Coming in 3rd in the list was “Relationship Skills” or the ability of the parents to maintain a happy relationship with their spouse as well as other people; 1st and 2nd were “Lo…

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thinking positively

Thinking Positively: Why You Need to Wire Your Brain to Think Positive

…iness, better health and more optimism and positive emotions. According to Robert Emmons of the Greater Good Science Center, gratitude allows us to celebrate the present, blocks toxic, negative emotions, makes us more resilient, and increases our feelings of self-worth. Gratitude is like a muscle; the more you utilize it, the stronger it gets. There are many effective gratitude practices. For instance, you can keep a gratitude journal or a gratitu…

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Is Being Proud of Your Kids Really about You?

…an attempt to be connected to the accomplishment. My father, psychologist Robert Firestone, has developed the concept of a “fantasy bond” to help parents understand their exaggerated desire to connect with their children. A fantasy bond describes an illusion of fusion between two people that replaces real love and relating. This bond can create a false sense of security, however it can also impair the child’s budding individuality and actual sens…

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relationship

Cynical About Relationships: Is Cynicism Ruining Your Love Life?

…ould argue that what’s fueling this cynical attitude is what my father Dr. Robert Firestone calls our “critical inner voice.” The critical inner voice describes a negative thought process we all experience to different degrees that harshly criticizes us and others. For many of us, this voice gets loudest when it comes to our romantic life. Our critical inner voices can act as a barrier to getting close to someone else. Like the world’s worst match…

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Creating a More Positive Identity

…t. So, how can we separate from this identity? Together with my father Dr. Robert Firestone, who developed Voice Therapy, we’ve collectively written and produced dozens of books, blogs, films, articles, Webinars, workshops, and studies, discussing what works in relation to overcoming this inner critic. Recently, when talking to my father about the critical inner voice and identity, he brought up an important component to continuously resist the in…

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Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice: An Adjunct to Clinical Practice

…that can sabotage, diminish, or undermine us. Psychologist and author Dr. Robert Firestone often refers to this internal enemy as an “anti-self” or “critical inner voice.” Learning to deal effectively with the “critical inner voice” is central to all areas of life: personal development, healthy relationships, self-esteem, and career success. This CE Webinar provides participants with an introduction to Voice Therapy, a technique that can enhance…

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You Don’t Really Know Yourself

…bility. Nevertheless, working through these issues is a worthwhile endeavor because it enables a person to live a full and integrated life. Read more about Voice Therapy in Robert Firestone’s forthcoming book, Overcoming the Destructive Inner Voice: True Stories of Therapy and Transformation….

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